Disc News: Scream Factory Scares April With Vampires And Comets

Two more cult frights are scheduled to get the Blu-ray treatment this spring. Lifeforce and The Vampire Lovers will gain resolution on April 30th. Lifeforce came out to coincide with the return of Halley’s Comet in 1985. Turns out there’s something evil in the tail of the comet and it’s not Mark Twain. The film stars Steven Railsback (The Stunt Man and Helter Skelter) as humanity’s last hope. Patrick Stewart (Star Trek: The Next Generation) takes part in the destruction of London under the eye of Tobe Hooper (The Texas Chainsaw Massacre).

The Vampire Lovers gets the double cool seal of approval having both AIP and Hammer involved. Ingrid Pitt (Countess Dracula) is a house guest that enjoys staying up late. Hammer icon Peter Cushing once more plays the guy who wants to put an end to the fun. The film was a sensation for its girl-girl bloodsucking action.

Here’s the press release from Scream Factory:

Horror, sci-fi enthusiasts and movie collectors rejoice! SCREAM FACTORY™ will unleash the special effects extravaganza LIFEFORCE from Director Tobe Hooper (The Texas Chainsaw Massacre, Poltergeist) and THE VAMPIRE LOVERS from Hammer Film Productions on April 30, 2013. These two much-loved cult film classics debut for the first time on Blu-ray. LIFEFORCE will be presented as a Collector’s Edition Blu-ray™ + DVD combo pack that boasts the rare original theatrical version of the film (available on the Blu-ray disc only) and its longer international cut, plus newly rendered retro-style artwork and a reversible wrap with original theatrical key art . Both home entertainment collections of LIFEFORCE and THE VAMPIRE LOVERS feature high-definition anamorphic widescreen presentations and new exciting bonus content!

LIFEFORCE Collector’s Edition Blu-ray™ + DVD combo pack is priced to own at $29.93; THE VAMPIRE LOVERS Blu-ray™ has a suggested retail price of $19.97.

***Avid horror movie fans and collectors take note: those who order LIFEFORCE from ScreamFactoryDVD.com will receive the exclusive 18″x24″ poster featuring the newly commissioned artwork. Only 300 posters will be printed, so these are available while supplies last.***

Fans and collectors can preorder these exciting SCREAM FACTORY collections now at ShoutFactory.com or Amazon.com

From the director of Poltergeist and the co-writer of Alien comes a thrilling sci-fi adventure of explosive action and pulse-pounding suspense! With mind-blowing special effects by Academy Award® winner John Dykstra (1977 Best Visual Effects, Star Wars), Lifeforce is a gripping mélange of genres that’s “so bizarre, it’s fascinating” (Leonard Maltin)!

A mission to investigate Halley’s Comet discovers an even stranger phenomenon: an alien spacecraft! Following a deadly confrontation, the aliens arrive on Earth, where their seductive leader begins a terrifying campaign to drain the lifeforce of everyone she encounters. Her victims, in turn, continue the cycle, and soon the entire planet is in mortal danger. And when the mission’s sole survivor (Steve Railsback – The Stunt Man) sets out to destroy her, he comes face to face with the most charming – and horrifying – being he’s ever known. Will he be able to destroy the lovely vampiress…or will he become yet another victim of her fatal charm?

Bonus Content:

Both Theatrical & International Versions (Theatrical cut available on the Blu-ray only.)
New Audio Commentary with Director Tobe Hooper
New Retrospective with Cast & Crew including Star Steve Railsback, Director Tobe Hooper and others!
Original vintage “Making-Of Lifeforce” Featurette
Original Theatrical Trailer
TV Spot
Still Gallery
And more to be announced!

A female vampire with lesbian tendencies ravages the young girls and townsfolk of a peaceful hamlet in eighteenth century Europe who, years earlier, killed off her fellow vampires. A rousing hunt for the vampiress ensues as a group of men follow her bloody trail of terror through the countryside. Adapted from J. Sheridan LeFanu’s novella “Carmilla,” The Vampire Lovers stars Ingrid Pitt, George Cole and Peter Cushing.

Now this “rather erotic Hammer chiller” (Leonard Maltin) appears on Bluray for the first time… If you dare, come into a twilight world of unspeakable horror and taste the deadly passion of the blood-nymphs!

Bonus Content:

Feature Length Commentary with Roy Ward Baker (Director), Tudor Gates (Writer) and Ingrid Pitt (Carmilla) moderated by Jonathan Sothcott.
Excerpts from the novella Carmilla, that inspired the film, read by Ingrid Pitt
Original Theatrical Trailer
New Interview with Madeline Smith (Emma)
New Interviews with Hammer Films Scholars
Original Radio Spot

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Joe Corey

Joe Corey is the author of "The Seven Secrets of Great Walmart People Greeters." This is the last how to get a job book you'll ever need. He was Associate Producer of the documentary "Moving Midway." He's worked as local crew on several reality shows including Candid Camera, American's Most Wanted, Extreme Makeover Home Edition and ESPN's Gaters. He's been featured on The Today Show and CBS's 48 Hours. Dom DeLuise once said, "Joe, you look like an axe murderer." He was in charge of research and programming at the Moving Image Archive.